Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Guidance


by Leave a comment

Baby Steps

Scripture for Today: Psalm 37:23 “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”

Learning to walk has its ups and downs!  Our second grandson is getting ready to take his first steps.  It is a slow process, holding on to what is stable in order to be eventually stable one’s self.  What an adventure to find balance and courageously take that first step!  There is plenty of swaying and lots of plopping on the floor, but eventually his steps become firmer.  The hand is relinquished and a new independence is found!

Our verse for today is a promise for the one who delights in the Lord.  This is a conditional promise, addressed to the believer who relishes his relationship with God.  Delighting in the Lord describes a dependent relationship where one does not let go of His hand.  Unlike the development of a baby, the believer is to become progressively more dependent.  Letting go of His hand and going our own way puts us at risk of falling.

Life is not without its stumbles.  We learn greater trust and dependence when stumbling.  But falling down hard is not part of His plan for His children.  He is there at our sides to insure that it does not happen.  Unfortunately, it happens anyway as we let go of His hand to go our own way.

When I suddenly find myself sprawled on the ground asking myself, “What happened?” He stretches out His hand to lift me up.  Hopefully, the next time I think to wander off, I will hold on to His hand more tightly instead.

Lord, it is a delight to walk with You.  Keep me holding on to Your hand today.


by Leave a comment

Dead in the Water

blogger-image--1887243036Scripture for Today: John 3:8 “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

We have had some unusually calm warm weather lately.  We took advantage of the sunshine and drove up the Vosges mountains all the way to Lac Gérardmer.  The sailing club was out in full force but no one was moving.  It was absolutely still and calm with glassy unruffled water.  There was nothing to do but wait for the wind to pick up again.  They were dead in the water without that wind to move them.  How long they were to be stuck no one could predict.

Our verse for today is part of a discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus.  The Lord is describing spiritual matters using images in nature.  No one can know the origin of wind or its direction.  So it is with the Holy Spirit.  Although God’s Word teaches the role of the Spirit, there remains something mysterious in the way He works.  One cannot predict or reduce to a formula the movement of the Spirit.  Revivals can happen in the most unlikely places and at the most unexpected times.  The Spirit is God and He will do what He wills.

I may never completely understand the work of God’s Spirit but I do know that without Him I am “dead in the water” going nowhere. It is the Spirit that gives power and strength.  There is no progress without Him.  It is the Spirit that keeps me moving in the right direction, giving wisdom.  He knows when to push hard with hurricane force!  He knows when to be a gentle breeze.

Lord, I need your Spirit to fill, move and direct me today!


by Leave a comment

Paralyzed!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 73:23-24 “Yet I am always with You. You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me to glory.”

This poor little raccoon is paralyzed with indecision!  His little brain is probably thinking, “Run left or right? Go forward or turn around?”  Fear has made him immobile.  By the time he figures it out it may be too late.  I feel much like this confused raccoon when faced with too many choices.  Whenever I am in the States, all I have to do is visit the cereal aisle of a store to feel the same way!

Our verse for today is a wonderful promise.  The Lord is always at the side of a believer.  He offers His hand and His counsel.  He is there to help with every decision, even the small ones.  When making a decision, one can feel overwhelmed by the different options.  The fear of choosing incorrectly can completely block us.   In consequence, decisions are postponed or sometimes left to others.  Being paralyzed with indecision gives God no opportunity to guide us.  As verse 22 describes, we can be senseless ignorant beasts, caught in the headlights.

I am thankful for a patient and understanding God.  We are never left on our own in making choices.  He offers His guidance.  He reaches out His hand to steer us in the right direction.  But it is up to me to see my own indecision and reach for His hand.  What a beautiful image it is to see that hand continuing to guide me all the way through life and into eternity!

Thank you  Lord, for Your hand and Your counsel.  Please guide me in every decision today.


by Leave a comment

Claustrophobic

claustrophobic-elevatorScripture for Today: Psalm 118:5  “In my distress I cried out to the Lord.  The Lord answered me and put me in a wide open place.”

Thankfully, I have never experienced claustrophobia firsthand.  In reading about it, this phobia sounds awful.  People who suffer from this irrational fear of confined spaces can get the shakes, sweat, and have heart palpitations.  They may yell or cry, feeling as if the walls are closing in on them.  Their panic drives them to get out by any means possible.  For self-help, people use visualization or do their best to avoid small closed spaces.  Perhaps what these sufferers visualize is a wide open place.

Our verse for today comes from a psalm of thanksgiving.  God has proven Himself faithful yet again.  Enemies have been vanquished and the people are celebrating!  The king had cried out in the distress of the enemies’ attacks and the Lord answered and put him in a wide open place.  This feeling of distress may well have resembled what the claustrophobic experiences.  Being surrounded by the enemy and seeing them close in must have been terrifying.

I may not have the distress of enemies attacking, but I do feel surrounded on all sides by different pressures.  The distress of finances, health issues, coming changes or family issues can feel like the walls are closing in on me.  If I allow my imagination to join in I can easily slip into a state of panic!  The only and best thing to do is to cry out to the Lord.  In His lovingkindness, He pushes back the walls.  He leads me to wide open places where there are green pastures and quiet waters. (Psalm 23:2)

Lord, help me to stay in that wide open place of trusting You.


by 3 Comments

Rest Stops

rest-area-closed-300x300Scripture for Today: Numbers 9:18  “At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at His command they encamped.  As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp.” 

We have done our share of road trips but fortunately, we have never encountered a sign like this one!  We have had plenty of occasions to compare rest stops throughout the States and Europe.  We have been most impressed with those in North America designed for truckers that come with cots and showers!  They really know how to rest!

I have noticed that the French media encourage drivers to stop and rest every two hours.  Strict laws govern the bus drivers on how long they can drive without stopping.  Without adequate rest, drivers are at risk for accidents and put others at risk as well.

Our verse for today is about the Israelites as they journeyed towards the Promise Land.  The Lord guided them by a cloud in the daylight hours and by a pillar of fire at night.  When the cloud stayed stationary, they were to stop and rest.  What a wonderful example of God caring for all our physical needs, even that of rest!

Sometimes I feel guilty when I rest, doing nothing at all.  There is always pressure to perform, to achieve and to do.  One real benefit of being just a little sick is having the luxury of doing nothing without the guilt!  But of course, those “down times” are needed.  Rather than dividing my activities into those that are”spiritual” and those that are not, I need to look at everything I do as potentially glorifying Him! (I Cor. 10:31)

Thank you Lord, that You give me needed times of rest and relaxation!  May You be glorified in everything I do!